Null replacing attributes

Abstract

Described herein includes finding and replacing, including automatically, at least one null value in a table for allowing processing of the table with an ABAP-based application. In some implementations, the null values are replaced with replacement values that are compatible with further processing of the data in the table. For example, a replacement value can be a string providing information or a value, such as for performing a calculation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 at least one memory including instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause operations comprising: 
 receiving an instruction associated with a column in a first table, the instruction including a user-defined replacement value to be used to replace one or more null values to be detected in the column for enabling a calculation using data in the first table; 
 detecting, after the instruction is received, a first null value in the first table received by a calculation engine of a database management system; 
 replacing, in the first table, the first null value with the user-defined replacement value; and 
 executing the calculation using the data in the first table, the data in the first table including the user-defined replacement value. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user-defined replacement value includes one or more of a string, a numerical value, a time value, and a date value. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the calculation includes a join of the first table with a second table. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first null value comprises an undefined value. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the first null value is in the column; and 
 replacing the first null value according to the instruction. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 detecting a second null value in the second table; and 
 replacing the second null value with a second replacement value. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the executing of the join further comprises:
 executing the join of the first table and the second table to form a third table, the third table comprising the user-defined replacement value and the second replacement value. 
 
     
     
       8. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one programmable processor, cause the at least one programmable processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving an instruction associated with a column in a first table, the instruction including a user-defined replacement value to be used to replace one or more null values to be detected in the column for enabling a calculation using data in the first table; 
 detecting, after the instruction is received, a first null value in the first table received by a calculation engine of a database management system; 
 replacing, in the first table, the first null value with the user-defined replacement value; and 
 executing the calculation using the data in the first table, the data in the first table including the user-defined replacement value. 
 
     
     
       9. The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the user-defined replacement value includes one or more of a string, a numerical value, a time value, and a date value. 
     
     
       10. The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the calculation includes a join of the first table with a second table. 
     
     
       11. The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 detecting a second null value in the second table; and 
 replacing the second null value with a second replacement value. 
 
     
     
       12. The computer program product of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining the first null value is in the column; and 
 replacing the first null value according to the instruction. 
 
     
     
       13. The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the executing of the join further comprises:
 executing the join of the first table and the second table to form a third table, the third table comprising the user-defined replacement value and the second replacement value. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for implementation by one or more data processors forming part of at least one computing system, the method comprising:
 receiving an instruction associated with a column in a first table, the instruction including a user-defined replacement value to be used to replace one or more null values to be detected in the column for enabling a calculation using data in the first table; 
 detecting, after the instruction is received, a first null value in the first table received by a calculation engine of a database management system; 
 replacing, in the first table, the first null value with the user-defined replacement value; and 
 executing the calculation using the data in the first table, the data in the first table including the user-defined replacement value. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the user-defined replacement value includes one or more of a string, a numerical value, a time value, and a date value. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the calculation includes a join of the first table with a second table. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 detecting a second null value in the second table; and 
 replacing the second null value with a second replacement value. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 determining the first null value is in the column; and 
 replacing the first null value according to the instruction. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the executing of the join further comprises:
 executing the join of the first table and the second table to form a third table, the third table comprising the user-defined replacement value and the second replacement value. 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at a user interface, an input from a user, the input defining the user-defined replacement value.